Politics · United Kingdom · 2 hrs ago
Burnham backs discussion of possible return to EU free movement
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham wants an open discussion about restoring free movement with the EU.
The system allowed EU citizens to move to the UK and British citizens to move to EU countries.
Burnham says migration has changed since Brexit, and that the type of movement seen when the UK was in the EU may differ from current patterns.
He is considering closer ties with the bloc, potentially including the single market, but has said he would not recommend joining the euro or the Schengen area.
Senior ministers including Angela Rayner support discussing the idea, while some Labour MPs and opposition politicians warn against reopening the issue.
Free movement was a major issue in the 2016 Brexit referendum, and Burnham has previously said fundamental changes would need public backing at a general election.
He is due to meet EU leaders in Brussels on 20 November to discuss options for resetting relations.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK should have an “honest discussion” about possibly returning to the EU’s freedom of movement rules for workers.
He said the issue could be considered as part of a wider reset of UK-EU relations, including cooperation on data and migration.
Cabinet ministers including Angela Rayner backed discussing the option, while some Labour MPs and other critics opposed reopening the debate.
Burnham said he could not imagine recommending that the UK join the euro or the Schengen travel area.
He is due to meet EU officials at a summit in Brussels on November 20.
- Who
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham called for discussion of a possible return to EU freedom of movement.
- What
- He said the UK should have an “honest discussion” about the rules. He did not announce a decision to rejoin them.
- When
- Burnham made the remarks in an interview conducted on October 19 and reported on October 25, 2026.
- Where
- The discussion concerns movement between the UK and the European Union.
- Why
- Burnham said migration patterns have changed and argued that freedom of movement should be considered as part of a broader reset of UK-EU relations.
Burnham and supporters of discussing closer EU ties
Critics of reopening the free-movement debate
Whether to discuss free movement
Burnham and supporters of discussing closer EU ties
Burnham said the UK should have an “honest discussion”; Angela Rayner called considering the options “just pragmatism”.
Critics of reopening the free-movement debate
Critics said reopening the debate risks ignoring voters’ decision in the Brexit referendum and could harm communities or workers.
UK-EU relationship
Burnham and supporters of discussing closer EU ties
Supporters said closer ties could help growth and that free movement should be considered alongside other issues.
Critics of reopening the free-movement debate
Critics including Chris Philp said there could be “no return” to free movement; Kemi Badenoch said Burnham had not considered the implications.
Britons voted to leave the European Union in a referendum in which immigration was a key issue.
Burnham won the Makerfield seat in a by-election, according to the BBC.
Burnham became prime minister after replacing Keir Starmer, according to The Hindu.
Burnham gave the Sunday Times interview in which he called for an “honest discussion” about freedom of movement.
Burnham is due to meet EU officials at a summit in Brussels.
- Migration in 2025
- 171,000 net long-term arrivals, down from 331,000 in 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics cited by Al Jazeera
- 2016 referendum
- The UK voted to leave the EU
- Proposed discussion
- Possible return to EU freedom of movement for workers
- Wider relationship
- Burnham said the discussion could include data sharing and migration
- Brussels summit
- Scheduled for November 20, 2026
11 sources
DAILY MAIL COMMENT: No one voted for a return to this toxic Brexit psychodrama
U.K. PM Burnham says he is open to discussing EU free movement
Burnham offen für Debatte über Rückkehr zu EU-Freizügigkeit
Rayner backs Burnham call for debate on return to free movement with EU
UK PM Burnham says he wants to discuss a return to EU freedom of movement
بريطانيا تفتح الباب أمام العودة إلى حرية التنقل مع الاتحاد الأوروبي
British PM Burnham open to adopting EU free movement, Sunday Times reports
Burnham open to 'honest discussion' on EU free movement
What people are saying
You’ve got to see it in the round, rather than just looking at freedom of movement on its own
It’s about what is the best deal for Britain and that’s what we are asking the public to look at.
The British people voted to end free movement, and there can be no return to it.
total betrayal of Brexit Britain